EDDIE Howe insists he will never allow himself to get "comfortable" in the Premier League after seeing previously-established teams relegated this season.

The 40-year-old led Cherries to a 12th-place finish as a 2-1 victory at Burnley on Sunday rounded off another impressive campaign for the south coast outfit.

With three Premier League seasons to their name, Cherries continue to punch above their weight in the top flight.

While Howe masterminded survival for a side in the bottom three at Christmas, three teams who had enjoyed longer runs in the top flight dropped out of the division.

West Brom, Stoke City and Swansea City were in the league when Cherries won promotion in 2015 but will be playing Championship football next season.

Asked about the importance of avoiding complacency, Howe said: “I’ve always had that feeling. In this league, I’m never comfortable and sitting here thinking we’ve cracked it or we’re established.

“First and foremost, you have to prove it and you have to earn the right.

“It is the league which can change so quickly. It can really bite you if you get complacent. Certainly, from my side there is no complacency over our work over the summer.

“We need to be really good with what we do. We need to re-energise the players when we come back and get ready for a really tough season ahead.”

Looking up instead of down, Howe pointed to the achievements of Burnley – who finished seventh under Sean Dyche and will play Europa League football next season – as a target to aspire to.

"They have certainly shown what can be done," he said of the club he managed for 21 months before returning to Cherries in October 2012.

"I think they have performed at a very high level consistently. They started the season really well with the result at Chelsea and never looked back from that moment.

"Full credit to them for what they've achieved – they deserve all the accolades they get. The reward is the Europa League and we wish them well in that.

"For us, we want to maximise our potential and the ability that we have.

"Where that level is and what that ceiling is, who knows? But we will give everything we can to try to improve year on year."

Howe confirmed defender Steve Cook had suffered only minor damage following a second-half tangle with Burnley’s Nahki Wells.

Cook completed 90 minutes despite appearing in discomfort following the incident, which saw him sustain a twisted ankle.

Howe added: “He has done that a couple of times this season so it is a little problem for him but, thankfully, he has got a bit of time to get it right.”